Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Side Preference for Wrist Fractures Caused by Falls from a Standing Height in Old Age

Version 1 : Received: 22 February 2023 / Approved: 23 February 2023 / Online: 23 February 2023 (01:57:10 CET)

How to cite: Zohar, A.; Maman, D.; Behrbalk, E. Side Preference for Wrist Fractures Caused by Falls from a Standing Height in Old Age. Preprints 2023, 2023020392. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0392.v1 Zohar, A.; Maman, D.; Behrbalk, E. Side Preference for Wrist Fractures Caused by Falls from a Standing Height in Old Age. Preprints 2023, 2023020392. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202302.0392.v1

Abstract

Introduction: Fractures in older individuals are often caused by falls, with approximately 90% of hip fractures resulting from falls. The risk of falling increases with age, and while a significant portion of individuals over 65 fall at least once per year, only a small percentage of these falls result in hip fractures. Factors that influence the likelihood of a fracture occurring include the intensity of the fall and the quality of the bone, with lower bone mineral content increasing the risk of fracture. Older women, particularly those in their 70s, are significantly more prone to hip fractures and any type of fracture. Efforts to reduce the likelihood of falls or mitigate the associated trauma are more complex than treating osteoporosis, due in part to a lack of understanding of the causes and contributing factors of falls in older age.Methods: This study analyzed data from patients admitted to Carmel medical center with upper or lower limb fractures between 2017 and 2019 to determine the side of wrist fractures and compare it to patient age in order to examine whether there was a difference in the distribution of sides in distal radius fractures based on age and test the hypothesis that falls are more likely to occur on the left side due to the assumption that dominant hand gross motor skills are better preserved. The study received approval from the Institutional Helsinki Committee and used statistical analysis with a significance level of 0.05. Potential sources of bias include limited availability of reliable data for many patients and the risk of errors in fracture registration or diagnosis, although the small sample size is expected to minimize these biases.Results: In this analysis of patient data from 2019 to 2017, a binomial test found that the probability of breaking the left wrist is significantly greater than the probability of breaking the right wrist (p < 0.05), while a t-test found no difference in the distribution of fractures between the right and left wrists of the distal radius based on age (p = 0.2774). Discussion: The findings of the study are consistent with previous research, and indicate that there is no change in side preference for fractures with age. Conclusion: The probability of breaking the left wrist is approximately 1.5 times greater than the probability of breaking the right wrist.

Keywords

Distal radius fracture; fall; elderly; older adults

Subject

Medicine and Pharmacology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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